Dispensing machine



May 14, 1946'.

H. P. COMPTON ET AL DISPENSING MACHINE Filed Feb. 8, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet l 3' i j HP60m; ;0n

, JJZdfuZry Patented May 14, 1946 DISPENSING MACHINE Henry Purl Compton and James Alton Autry, Abilene, Tex.

Application February 8, 1943, Serial No. 475,160

4 Claims.

This invention relates to article dispensing machines.

An object of this invention is to provide a dispensing machine for dispensing envelopes, stamps, stationery and post cards which are contained in a cardboard folder, the dispensing mechanism being under the control of a conventional coin controlled mechanism.

Another object of this invention is to provide a machine of the type described which is simple in construction and will not readily get out of order, the machine being capable of being made in either a single unit, or a plurality of units.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved folder for use with the dispensing machine which is adapted to enclose the article to be dispensed.

A further object of this invention is to provide a machine of this kind which includes a cabinet, an inner horizontal combined partition and guide, an article ejecting slide engaging the guide, and a coin controlled mechanism for operating the slide upon insertion of a coin in the mechanism.

To the foregoing objects and to others which may hereinafter appear, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be more specifically referred to and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is disclosed an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications may be resorted to which fall within the scope of the invention; as claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a detail front elevation of a dispensing device constructed according to an embodiment of this invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary vertical section of the device;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1, showing the dispensing means in its initial delivery position;

Figure 4 is a sectional view, taken on the line 44 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a plan view of the inner wall and guide;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of Figure 4; and

Figure 8 is a bottom plan, partly broken away, and in section, of the folder with the article to be dispensed inserted there-between.

Re errin to the drawin s the numeral l0 designates generally a cabinet which comprises a front wall H, a rear wall I 2, opposite side walls l3, a top wall 14, and a bottom wall I5. The

, front wall ll constitutes a closure being removable from the housing I0, and is provided at one end thereof, and in the present instance at its upper end, with apair of upwardly extending dowels or pins l6 which are adapted to engage in sockets or recesses ll formed in the lower side of the top wall M. A locking mechanism I8 is carried by the front wall or closure H, adjacent the lower portion thereof, being of conventional construction and provided with a rotatable bolt l9 which is adapted to engage inwardly of a keeper 20 secured by one-or more fastening means 2| in a recess 22 formed in an inner lower wall 23 secured to the upper side of the base l5.

An innerarticlesupporting wall and guide 24 is disposed within the housing I0, above the bottom wall 23. The inner dividing wall 24 divides the housing l0 into an upper article cham ber 25 and a lower coin chamber-26. The dividing member 24 removably engages at the opposite longitudinal edges thereof in inwardly opening grooves or channels 21 which are formed in the inner sides of the side Walls 13. -Afolder 01 article ejecting slide 28 slidably engages between longitudinal flanges 29 which are carried by the partition or inner wall 24.

The slide 28 is formed adjacent; the forward end thereof with a reduced portion 30 forming opposite cutouts 3! in the longitudinal edges of the slide 28. The partition or supporting wall 24,

' adjacent the forward end thereof, and at the opposite longitudinal edges, is provided with inwardly extending flanges or stops 32 engaging in the cutouts 3| so as to limit the forward movement of the slide 28. The slide 28 is secured to the supporting member or wall 24 by means of a T-shaped member 33. The stem portion 34 of the T-shaped member 33, slidably engages in a longitudinal opening 35 which is formed in the wall or supporting member 24 and the flanged portion 36 of the T-shaped member 33 engages against the lower side of the supporting member 24. The T-shaped member 33 is secured to the slide 28 by means of a fastening member 31.

The front wall or closure II is formed with a horizontal delivery slot 38, the lower edge of which is co-planar with the upper side of the slide 28. The articles to be dispensed, in the present instance, constitute an envelope 39, having one or more sheets of paper 40 enclosed therein and also one or more stamps or post cards. The envelope 39 is interposed between the upper and lower walls 4| and 42 respectively of a folder, generally designated as 43. The overturned edge 44 of the folder 43 is adapted to be positioned foremost or in confronting position to the delivery slot 38. The lower wall or sid 42 of the folder 43, is substantially shorter than the upper wall or side 4|, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. r

The slide 28, adjacent the rear portion thereof, is provided with a pair of upwardly projecting adjustable pins 45 which may be adjusted so as to only engage against the rear end of the lower wall 42 of the folder 43, or may be adjusted to engage the rear ends of more than one folder or article. A follower or weight 46 is adapted to rest on the uppermost of the folders 43 so as to gravitatingly maintain the lowermost folder in a position for discharge forwardly through the delivery slot 38 when the slide 28 is moved to a delivering position, which is the position shown in Figure 2.

The slide 28 is operated by means of a coin controlled mechanism, generally designated as H 41. The coin controlled mechanism 41 is similar to the mechanism embodied in Patent Number 1,908,380 dated May 9, 1933, and Number 1,908,752, dated May 15, 1933.

The mechanism includes an elongated slide bar 48, slidably engaging in a guide 49 which projects forwardly of the closure II and also projects through the closure I l and into the lower chamber 26. The slide 48, as shown in Figure 2, projects inwardly beyond the inner end of the guide 49, and has secured to the inner end thereof, an upwardly extending slide operating bolt 50. The bolt 50 is secured by lock nuts 5| or the like to the inner end of the slide 48 and the upper end of the bolt 50 loosely engages in an opening or slot 52 which is formed in the slide 28 rearwardly of the T-shaped member 33.

The opening 52 is relatively long so as to provide lost motion between the bolt 50 and the slide 28 when the coin operated slide 48 is moved inwardly upon insertion of a coin in the coin recess 53 which is formed in the slide 48.

The dividing wall or guide member 24, adjacent the rear end of the elongated slot 35, is provided with a smaller slot 54 communicating with the inner end of the slot or opening 35 so that the bolt 50 may be positioned beyond the inner end of the opening 35 to thereby move the slide 28 in wardly sufiiciently to position the folder ejecting pins 45 rearwardly of the rear end of the lower folder wall 42. I

In the use and operation of this dispensing device, the folders 43, with the envelopes 39 and the stationery and stamps enclosed in the envelopes, are placed on top of the slide 28, the closure ll being removed from the housing. The weight or follower 46 is placed on top of the uppermost of the folders, and the closure H is then replaced and locked by means of the locking bolt IS. The initial position of the coin operated mechanism is the position shown in full lines in Figure 2, wherein the coin slide 48 is in its outermost position. After insertion of a coin in the opening 53 of th slide 48, the slide 48 may then be pushed inwardly to the full line position shown in Figure 3. Inward movement of the slide 48 will move the slide 28 rearwardly so as to position the folder ejecting pins 45 at the rear end of the lower wall 42 of the lowermost folder 43. The slide 48 may then be pulled outwardly whereupon the pins 45 will move the lowermost folder 43 outwardly with the slide 28, the lowermost folder 43 being moved through the delivery slot 38. The folder 43, which is being ejected, will have the forward end thereof, extended from the closure or front wall I I, as shown in Figure 2, so that the purchaser may then pull the partially discharged folder outwardly through the delivery opening 38. The coin, which has been inserted in the opening 53, will, upon inward movement of the slide 48, drop into the coin chamber 28.

This dispensing device will provide a convenient means for dispensing envelopes, stationery and stamps, it being contemplated that the folders 43 be returned to the dealer or owner of the machine so as to permit the re-insertion of additional envelopes and stationery in the ejected folders. The folders are preferably made of fairly stiff cardboard or the like and provide a protecting means for protecting envelopes and stationery against injury during the ejecting operation. This device is of very simple construction so that it can be manufactured at a relatively small cost and in order to provide means whereby the proprietor may determine how many folders are left in the cabinet ii], the front wall or closure II is provided with a transparent panel 45 engaging in an opening 56 formed in the closure ll above the delivery slot 38. The housing I0 is relatively small in size and may be provided with a handle 51 which is secured to the upper side of the top wall l4 by fastening means 58. The pins 45 may be suitably adjusted so as to eject one or more of the folders, it being understood that where more than one folder is to be ejected the folders may be formed with opposite sides of equal length so that the pins 45 will engage the rear ends of the desired number of folders or other articles which are to be dispensed.

We claim:

1. A dispensing device comprising a cabinet, an inner horizontal wall in said cabinet, a horizontally movable ejector slidably engaging said wall, a pair of article engaging pins carried by said ejector adjacent the rear end thereof, said cabinet having a delivery opening coplanar with the upper side of said ejector, an article enclosing folder engaging the upper side of said ejector and formed with a lower wall shorter than the upper wall whereby said pins will engage against the rear edge of said lower wall, and coin controlled operating means for said ejector.

2. In a dispensing device, comprising a cabinet, an inner horizontal wall in said cabinet, a horizontally movable ejector slidably engaging said wall, a pair of article engaging pins carried by said ejector adjacent'the rear end thereof, said cabinet having a delivery opening coplanar with the upper side of said ejector an article enclosing folder engaging the upper side of said ejector and formed with a lower wall shorter than the upper wall whereby said pins will engage against the rear edge of said lower wall, a coin controlled ejector operating bar slidably carried by said cabinet and an upwardly projecting bolt fixed to said bar and engageable with said ejector.

3. In a dispensing device, comprising a cabinet, an inner horizontal wall in said cabinet, a horizontally movable ejector slidably engaging said wall, a pair of article engaging pins carried by said ejector adjacent the rear end thereof, said cabinet having a delivery opening coplanar with the upper side of said ejector, an article enclosing folder engaging the upper side of said ejector and formed with a lower wall shorter than the upper wall whereby said pins will engage against the rear edge of said lower wall, a coin controlled ejector operating bar slidably carried by said cabinet and an upwardly projecting bolt fixed to said bar and engageable with said ejector, said ejector being provided with an elongated opening in which said bolt loosely engages to thereby provide a lost motion connection between said ejector and said operating bar.

4. A dispensing device comprising a cabinet, an inner horizontal wall in said cabinet, a horizontally movable ejector slidably engaging said Wall, ejector guide means carried by said horizontal wall, a T-shaped member secured to said ejector and slidably engaging in a slot in said horizontal wall, a pair of article engaging pins carried by said ejector adjacent the rear end thereof, said cabinet having a delivery opening coplanar with the upper side of said ejector, an article enclosin folder engaging the upper side of said ejector and formed with a lower wall shorter than the upper wall whereby said pins will engage against the rear edge of said lower wall, and coin controlled operating means for said ejector, comprising an ejector operating bar slidably carried by said cabinet, an upwardly projecting bolt fixed to said bar and .engageable with said ejector, said ejector provided with an elongated opening in which said bolt loosely engages to thereby provide a lost motion connection between said ejector and said operating bar.

HENRY PURL COMPTON.

JAMES ALTON AUTRY. 

